Arete Podcast with Richard Triggs

Richard Triggs

Arete is a Greek word that essentially means “the fulfilment of one’s full potential”. Or as the famous Greek author Homer wrote, “where heroes gather to realise their full potential”. The Arete podcast is designed to showcase the careers of leading CEOs, Chairs and other successful senior leaders. Rather than a formal interview, this is a relaxed “fireside chat” style conversation, where Richard Triggs talks to the guest about their careers, key achievements, lessons learned along the way, and other interesting elements about how their careers have unfolded over the years. The idea is that aspiring and incumbent C-Suite executives and Non Executive Directors will have the ability to listen to those “who have walked the path before them”, in order to gain some insights and wisdom, and thereby accelerate the listener’s own career to its fullest potential. Richard is the Managing Partner of Arete Executive, a boutique executive search firm based in Brisbane. Richard Triggs’ new book “Uncover the Hidden Job Market – How to find and win your next Senior Executive role” was released in 2015.

  1. 1d ago

    230 Brad Church – Wealth, Values and Building a Successful Life

    In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Brad Church, Chief Executive and Senior Advisor at Goodman Private Wealth, to explore wealth, values, wellbeing and what it really means to build a successful life. Brad has been with Goodman Private Wealth for 28 years, having joined as the third person in the business after attending only one job interview. Today, he leads a small, privately owned firm that works closely with financially successful individuals and families across South East Queensland. The conversation explores the evolution of Goodman Private Wealth, from a more traditional investment advice business into a comprehensive private wealth firm. Brad also shares the succession journey that saw the business transition across management, client relationships and ownership, each requiring its own distinct plan. Richard and Brad discuss why financial advice should begin with values, not products. Brad explains the financial roadmap process Goodman uses with clients, starting with the question: “What’s important about money to you?” From there, the conversation moves into goals, current financial position and the bigger picture behind better decision-making. Brad also shares his philosophy of wellbeing, which moves beyond the traditional idea of work-life balance. Instead of trying to balance work against everything else, Brad focuses on eight areas of wellbeing: physical health, inner and emotional health, environment, generosity, recreation, relationships, business and career, and financial wellbeing. They also explore philanthropy, values-led leadership, recruitment, culture and what it takes to build a workplace people genuinely want to be part of. Brad explains why Goodman hires for fit and trains for skill, and how its recruitment process begins with a values conversation rather than a traditional skills-based interview. This is a thoughtful conversation about money, meaning, consistency, curiosity and the importance of building success across every part of life, not just the financial one. Key Timestamps 0:58 – Brad’s role at Goodman Private Wealth and the clients they serve 2:21 – Joining the business in 1998 after only one job interview 4:45 – The succession journey from founder-led business to second-generation ownership 7:37 – Curiosity, leadership development and the value of Vistage 11:51 – Why Brad moved beyond the idea of work-life balance 16:23 – The financial roadmap process and why it begins with values 22:37 – Why successful people still struggle to organise their financial records 25:49 – How values shape money, leadership and business decisions 29:35 – Philanthropy, generosity and the impact of giving 33:45 – Hiring for values fit and building a great place to work USEFUL LINKS: Brad Church on LinkedIn Goodman Private Wealth Website Richard Triggs on LinkedIn Arete Executive Website

    230 Brad Church – Wealth, Values and Building a Successful Life

  2. Jul 27

    227 John Lewis – Construction, Technology and Building What Does Not Yet Exist

    In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with John Lewis, Co-Founder of Lewis Woolcott and Lware, to explore entrepreneurship, innovation and the changing future of major infrastructure projects. John’s career began on construction sites in the UK after he left university early. He later returned to study construction law, moved through senior commercial and project leadership roles with organisations including ConocoPhillips, Origin Energy and GE, and eventually recognised that he was better suited to building businesses than navigating a traditional corporate career. Today, John leads two connected but very different businesses. Lewis Woolcott provides commercial, project controls and dispute advisory services across major construction, infrastructure and mining projects. Lware develops technology designed to give project teams better visibility, stronger analytics and faster insight into cost, delay and performance. Richard and John discuss the realities of growing two businesses, why construction has been slow to adopt new technology, and how combining industry expertise with software can solve problems traditional consulting has struggled with for decades. They also explore the impact of AI on consulting, the tension between billable hours and greater efficiency, and why human judgement will remain essential even as data analysis becomes faster and more sophisticated. This is a conversation about recognising opportunity, challenging accepted ways of working and having the confidence to build something the market has not seen before. Key Timestamps 1:45 – How Lewis Woolcott and Lware work together 4:02 – Supporting major infrastructure, construction and mining projects 11:36 – John’s journey from leaving university to senior project leadership 16:15 – Realising he was naturally suited to entrepreneurship 18:09 – Why the consulting and technology businesses became separate brands 24:19 – The moment an Uber journey inspired a new approach to construction data 26:52 – How AI is changing consulting and billable-hour models 31:51 – Why major projects experience cost and schedule blowouts 34:44 – Using technology to predict delays and improve project performance 39:25 – The next stage of growth across Australia, the UK and the US USEFUL LINKS: John Lewis on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/john-b-lewis Lware's Website - https://lware.com/ Richard Triggs on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs Arete Executive Website - https://www.areteexecutive.com.au/

    227 John Lewis – Construction, Technology and Building What Does Not Yet Exist

  3. Jul 27

    228 Dr Meg Hooper – Culture, Collaboration and Leading People Through Change

    In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Dr Meg Hooper, organisational psychologist and founder of Carousel Consulting, to explore workplace culture, collaboration and what it takes to lead people successfully through change. Meg has a PhD in organisational psychology and works with organisations navigating structural, technical and cultural transformation. She explains why meaningful change requires more than a new strategy, system or set of values. It requires clear behaviours, supportive environments and leaders who understand how people actually experience change. The conversation explores why purpose alone is not enough to sustain a healthy organisation, particularly within the not-for-profit sector, and how even positive qualities such as care and commitment can become “overdone strengths”. Richard and Meg also discuss her Collaboration Maturity Model, known as CM2, which helps organisations understand why collaboration cannot rely solely on individual goodwill. Incentives, leadership behaviour, systems and organisational structures must all support the way people are expected to work together. They also examine psychosocial risk, the responsibility organisations have to create psychologically healthy workplaces, and the accidental change managers who are often expected to lead their teams through disruption without any formal preparation. Beyond her consulting work, Meg shares the story of founding Circus Ipswich, which has grown from eight young participants into an inclusive community of more than 60 enrolments. Through circus, she is helping young people build confidence, take safe risks, experience belonging and realise their potential. This is a wide-ranging conversation about change, leadership, culture, community and the environments people need to thrive. Key Timestamps 2:04 – How Carousel Consulting helps organisations navigate workplace change 3:17 – Building values and cultural frameworks that translate into behaviour 6:09 – Why purpose and goodwill are not enough to sustain an organisation 8:38 – How positive qualities can become “overdone strengths” 9:52 – Measuring cultural change, engagement and organisational outcomes 15:19 – Introducing the CM2 Collaboration Maturity Model 20:51 – Why organisations struggle to create genuinely collaborative cultures 24:20 – Understanding and managing psychosocial risks in the workplace 31:51 – Supporting the “accidental change managers” leading teams through disruption 39:41 – The story and purpose behind Circus Ipswich USEFUL LINKS: Meg Hooper on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/meg-hooper Carousel Consulting - https://carouselconsulting.com.au/ Richard Triggs on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs Arete Executive Website - https://www.areteexecutive.com.au/team/richard-triggs/

    228 Dr Meg Hooper – Culture, Collaboration and Leading People Through Change

  4. Jul 22

    229 Tim Dwyer – Business Alignment, AI and Navigating the Next Era of Growth

    In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs reconnects with business strategist and author Tim Dwyer to discuss business alignment, cultural transformation and how organisations can prepare for the opportunities and disruption created by AI. Tim shares the thinking behind his new book, which brings together more than 25 years of experience working with businesses across different industries, sizes and stages of growth. Using a nautical framework, he explains how market forces act like the wind while culture operates like the current beneath the surface. When strategy and culture are aligned, businesses can move quickly and confidently. When they are pulling in different directions, even strong organisations can experience resistance, confusion and unnecessary internal friction. Richard and Tim explore the importance of understanding a business’s current position before introducing significant change. Tim explains why AI does not fix poor strategy, weak culture or leadership misalignment. Instead, it amplifies what already exists. They also discuss the changing nature of work, the challenges facing younger professionals, and why mentorship, relationships and human judgement will become even more important as technology transforms traditional career paths. This is a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, business transformation and the responsibility organisations have to prepare their people for the next era of work. Key Timestamps 1:20 – Tim’s new book and the thinking behind its business philosophy 2:41 – Why Tim uses navigation and sailing as a model for business 4:15 – Supporting established businesses, entrepreneurs and owners preparing to exit 8:13 – How navigation gives businesses a shared starting point and destination 11:12 – Why alignment removes internal drama and accelerates implementation 14:02 – Understanding the relationship between market forces and workplace culture 20:08 – How businesses can respond quickly when facing a crisis 23:23 – Why strategic and cultural alignment must come before AI implementation 29:34 – AI, changing career paths and the future of entry-level work 41:26 – Productivity, shorter working weeks and revaluing people

    229 Tim Dwyer – Business Alignment, AI and Navigating the Next Era of Growth

  5. Jun 8

    226 Richard Palmer - Building Businesses That Are Actually Worth Something

    In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Richard Palmer, Co-Founder and Partner at Qurate Advisory, to explore what it really takes to build a business that has lasting value. Richard has spent more than 25 years across corporate advisory, investment, governance, technology, M&A and executive leadership. His career has taken him from New Zealand to the UK and Australia, through high-growth technology, venture capital, funds management, CEO roles, board advisory and now Qurate Advisory, where he helps Australian business owners prepare for growth, succession, acquisition and sale. This conversation is a practical and honest look at the reality of business ownership. Richard and Richard discuss why so many owners start with the dream of building an asset, but end up creating a job for themselves instead. They explore why most businesses never sell, what makes a business genuinely valuable, and why value is ultimately about cash flow, risk and transferability. They also unpack the human side of business transition. Richard explains why many deals fail not because the business lacks value, but because owners, families or shareholders are not aligned on what they actually want. The conversation covers succession, trust, resilience, leadership, business owner pressure, Vistage, AI, tax, capital readiness and the importance of preparing for exit long before you want to exit. At its heart, this episode is about building with intention. It is a reminder that business owners can create income, impact and a valuable capital asset, but only if they start thinking about value early and treat readiness as a discipline, not a last-minute event. Key Timestamps 2:37 - Why Qurate Advisory exists and the problem it solves for business owners 5:49 - Lessons from the high-growth technology world at Orange 9:39 - Why running a business is very different from investing in one 18:10 - How Qurate Advisory began and why business transition starts with people 21:42 - The simple equation behind business value: cash flow and risk 27:00 - Why misalignment between owners, families and shareholders kills value 35:40 - How AI is changing risk, valuation and exit planning 47:02 - Why business owners should be capital ready every day, not just at sale USEFUL LINKS: Richard Palmer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardmpalmer1/ Qurate Advisory: https://qurate.com.au/ Richard Triggs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtriggs/ Arete Executive Website: https://www.areteexecutive.com.au

    226 Richard Palmer - Building Businesses That Are Actually Worth Something

  6. Jun 1

    225 Teva Smith - Creativity, Personal Brand and the Courage to Be Seen

    In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Teva Smith, communications strategist, content creator and fractional communications consultant, to explore the power of creativity, personal brand and human connection in a world overloaded with digital noise. Teva’s career has moved across countries, industries and creative disciplines. From growing up in South Africa and spending almost a decade in the UK, to building a strong professional background in pharmaceutical PR, marketing and independent education, her path has been anything but linear. Today, she brings together more than 20 years of communications experience with a bold, funny and highly human online presence that has opened new professional doors. Richard and Teva discuss the rise of fractional work, why more businesses are looking for senior expertise without the risk or cost of a full-time hire, and how experienced professionals can bring value quickly across different organisations, projects and industries. They also explore the growing need for executives and business leaders to develop a more compelling online presence, not just as a polished career summary, but as a genuine expression of who they are. The conversation then moves into Teva’s own creative journey. She shares how making videos started as a personal outlet, why humour and vulnerability have helped her content resonate, and how authenticity, when handled with integrity, can become a serious professional advantage. This is a conversation about more than social media. It is about courage, creativity, reputation, reinvention and the importance of staying human in business. For leaders, executives and aspiring C-suite professionals, Teva offers a clear reminder: people do not just connect with credentials. They connect with personality, story and trust. Key Timestamps 1:46 - Teva’s work across fractional communications, content creation and creative projects 2:16 - The rise of fractional work and why businesses are using senior expertise differently 6:07 - Teva’s journey from South Africa to Australia, the UK and back to Brisbane 8:00 - Creativity, storytelling and human connection as the thread through Teva’s career 10:09 - How Teva started creating online videos and developed her distinctive voice 13:04 - Balancing professional reputation with personal expression online 20:24 - How leaders and business owners can start building a stronger personal brand 34:58 - Teva’s final message on bravery, creativity and having more fun in business USEFUL LINKS: Teva Smith on LinkedIn Teva Smith's Website Richard Triggs on LinkedIn SUBSCRIBE HERE: Apple Podcast | Stitcher | Subscribe on Android | Player.fm | RSS | Spotify

    225 Teva Smith - Creativity, Personal Brand and the Courage to Be Seen

  7. May 6

    224 Ewan McDonald - CEO & Founding Director - Spectra

    In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Ewan McDonald, Founder and CEO of Spectra, to discuss the realities of building and sustaining a business through some of the most volatile conditions in the oil and gas sector. Ewan shares the story behind founding the business in 2009 during the coal seam gas exploration boom, and the evolution from its original beginnings as Protest Well Services into the technology-driven engineered services company Spectra is today. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in the energy sector, Ewan reflects on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including surviving multiple industry downturns, navigating the devastating impact of the 2011 Queensland floods, and adapting through periods of declining revenue and uncertainty. The conversation explores how adversity often forces innovation. Ewan explains how bringing engineering capability in-house during COVID became a major turning point for the business, enabling Spectra to develop proprietary technologies that are now delivering major operational efficiencies and emissions reductions for customers in the gas sector. He also shares the journey from early-stage ideas to securing commercial contracts with global energy companies including Shell. Richard and Ewan discuss leadership lessons learned over 17 years in business, including the importance of building strong leadership teams, creating alignment around a shared vision, and ensuring the right people are in the right seats. Ewan speaks candidly about managing cultural misalignment, building accountability, and fostering a safety-first environment in a high-risk industry where operational discipline and integrity are critical. The discussion also touches on the future of oil and gas, Australia’s energy security challenges, the ongoing role of LNG, and why the transition to alternative energy sources must remain grounded in practical realities. This episode is packed with insights for founders, CEOs, and leadership teams navigating uncertainty, scaling technical businesses, and building resilient organisations capable of adapting through changing market conditions. Key Timestamps 1:00 – Ewan’s role as Founder and CEO of Spectra 2:00 – Starting a business during the coal seam gas exploration boom 3:00 – Surviving industry downturns and the realities of entrepreneurship 6:00 – Understanding drill stem testing (DST) and coal seam gas exploration 10:00 – Scaling rapidly and the impact of the 2011 Queensland floods 11:30 – Evolving the business beyond DST services 14:00 – COVID disruption and the turning point of bringing engineering capability in-house 16:00 – Developing industry-changing technology and securing contracts with Shell 18:00 – Growth plans, acquisitions, and the future direction of Spectra 19:00 – Oil, gas, LNG, and Australia’s energy security outlook 21:30 – Leadership lessons from 17 years in business 24:00 – Getting the right people on the bus and managing cultural misalignment 26:00 – Safety, accountability, and operational integrity in high-risk industries 27:30 – Building a positive culture and aligning teams around a shared vision 29:00 – Balancing fly-in fly-out leadership, family life, and business growth

  8. 10/19/2025

    223 Birgit Schnelle – Certified EOS Implementer – Entrepreneurial Coach – EOS Worldwide

    223 Birgit Schnelle – Certified EOS Implementer – Entrepreneurial Coach – EOS Worldwide by Richard Triggs

    223 Birgit Schnelle – Certified EOS Implementer – Entrepreneurial Coach – EOS Worldwide
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About

Arete is a Greek word that essentially means “the fulfilment of one’s full potential”. Or as the famous Greek author Homer wrote, “where heroes gather to realise their full potential”. The Arete podcast is designed to showcase the careers of leading CEOs, Chairs and other successful senior leaders. Rather than a formal interview, this is a relaxed “fireside chat” style conversation, where Richard Triggs talks to the guest about their careers, key achievements, lessons learned along the way, and other interesting elements about how their careers have unfolded over the years. The idea is that aspiring and incumbent C-Suite executives and Non Executive Directors will have the ability to listen to those “who have walked the path before them”, in order to gain some insights and wisdom, and thereby accelerate the listener’s own career to its fullest potential. Richard is the Managing Partner of Arete Executive, a boutique executive search firm based in Brisbane. Richard Triggs’ new book “Uncover the Hidden Job Market – How to find and win your next Senior Executive role” was released in 2015.

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